Study Help: Scholarly Sources Explained

Summary

The video explains the importance of using scholarly sources in university assignments, differentiating them from non-scholarly sources like Wikipedia and newspapers. Scholarly sources include journal articles, books, and conference papers, characterized by research findings, comprehensive citations, and formal writing styles. The video emphasizes the role of peer review in ensuring quality, detailing the components of a scholarly article, including author details, abstracts, and reference lists. It also advises viewers on how to search for scholarly resources in databases and library catalogs, offering help when needed.

Takeaways

• 📚 Scholarly sources include journal articles, books, book chapters, conference papers, and theses.
• ❌ Non-scholarly sources include Wikipedia, newspaper articles, magazines, and social media sites.
• 🔍 Scholarly sources are essential for supporting ideas in academic assignments.
• 👩‍🔬 A scholarly source is written by researchers and reports on research findings.
• 📖 Scholarly sources contain in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography.
• 📝 Peer-reviewed articles are assessed by experts before publication to ensure quality.
• 📊 Key elements of peer-reviewed articles include author details, an abstract, and research evidence.
• 📘 Scholarly books are published by reputable publishers and provide in-depth information.
• 🔑 When searching for scholarly sources, look for a table of contents, index, and references.
• 🤔 If you need help finding scholarly sources, don't hesitate to ask for assistance.

Q & A

What are scholarly sources?

Scholarly sources, also known as academic sources, include journal articles, books, book chapters, conference papers, and theses that are written by researchers in a specific field.

What types of sources are not considered scholarly?

Sources such as Wikipedia, newspaper articles, magazines, trade journals, newsletters, blogs, social media sites, and personal websites are not considered scholarly sources.

What characteristics define a scholarly source?

A scholarly source is written by experts in the field, reports on research findings, contains comprehensive in-text citations and a reference list, uses specialized terminology, and employs a formal writing style.

What is a peer-reviewed article?

A peer-reviewed article is assessed by experts in the field before publication. If it does not meet publication standards, it may be rejected or sent back for revision.

What essential elements should a peer-reviewed article include?

A peer-reviewed article should include author details, the organization they represent, an abstract summarizing key points, evidence of research findings, in-text citations, and a reference list.

How can one find scholarly articles?

Many search tools, such as databases and library catalogs, allow users to limit searches specifically to scholarly, academic, or peer-reviewed articles.

What makes a book scholarly?

A scholarly book is authored by experts in the field, published by a reputable publisher, has a table of contents, provides in-depth information on a topic, includes an index, and features in-text references and a reference list.

Why is it important to use scholarly sources in assignments?

Using scholarly sources lends credibility to your arguments and ensures that the information is accurate, reliable, and based on thorough research.

What role do references play in scholarly writing?

References provide the sources of information and evidence used in the writing, allowing readers to verify claims and further explore the topic.

What should you do if you need help finding scholarly sources?

If you need help, you should ask a librarian or a knowledgeable person in your institution for assistance in locating scholarly sources.